Virginia Coastal Program: 1997 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY1997 Task 60
Grantee:
Virginia Marine Science Museum
Project Title:
Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response by the Virginia Marine Science Museum Stranding Center
Project Description as Proposed:
The VMSM Stranding Center researches and monitors the ecology and health of protected marine species and their habitats in Virginia waters. Strandings occur throughout the year; the state averages, since 1990, strandings of more than 50 marine mammals (with a high of over 100 in 1994) and over 150 sea turtles each year. VMSM now has the most complete database of VA marine mammal strandings in existence, crucial to long-term monitoring of these protected species' health and habitats.
Federal Funding:
$32,670
Project Contact:
Mark Swingle, 757.437.6022
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
1) Newsletter: Strandlines Vol. 3: Winter 1998 Special Research Issue; 2) Report: VMSM Stranding Program; VMSM Scientific Report Vol. 1999 No. 001; 3) Report: Proceedings of the 1998 Northeast Region Stranding Conference; VMSM Scientific Report Vol. 1998 No. 002
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
Virginia Marine Science Museum (VMSM) Stranding Program operated
the state marine mammal stranding network and managed the marine
mammal stranding database during 1998. The Stranding Program recorded
61 marine mammal strandings in Virginia during 1998. Bottlenose
dolphins accounted for 46 (75%) of the strandings. Other marine
mammal strandings in Virginia during 1998 included harbor porpoise
(3), common dolphin (2), Risso's dolphin (2), pygmy sperm whale
(2), harbor seal (5), and one unidentified seal. Six of the marine
mammal strandings involved live animals and the Stranding Team logged
more than 4000 hours caring for these animals. In addition, the
VMSM Stranding Team responded to 198 sea turtle strandings during
1998. Stranded sea turtles included loggerhead (179), Kemp's ridley
(14), and green (5). Four sea turtles stranded alive and three were
rehabilitated and released. Sea turtle stranding data were reported
to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science for inclusion in the
state sea turtle stranding database
The Stranding Program conducted trainings on the biology, ecology
and stranding response protocols for sea turtles and marine mammals.
The Stranding Team is composed of staff and more than 100 volunteers
based at the VMSM Stranding Center. The Stranding Center was created
to house the data processing and equipment storage needs of the
Stranding Program. Stranding Program research technicians worked
more than 2800 hours during the budget year. Budgeted funds were
used for equipment and supplies such as a cellular phone, digital
pagers, film and video tape, medical instruments and chemicals for
preservation and disinfection. Training materials were developed
for volunteers including the first Stranding Team Handbook and identification
badges. Research projects were conducted on bottlenose dolphins,
large whales and sea turtles. The Stranding Center hosted the 1998
Northeast Region Stranding Conference in Virginia Beach and published
the proceedings. Staff presented results of marine mammal and sea
turtle research projects at the Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference
in Sarasota, Florida and the International Symposium on Sea Turtle
Biology and Conservation in Mazatlan, Mexico. Three issues of the
StrandLines newsletter reported on stranding activities and research
in Virginia to cooperating agencies and individuals within the state
and region. .
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
